Regional Development Minister Shane Jones has reaffirmed his commitment to assisting with the repair of critical infrastructure at Rātana Pā while also hinting at funding to assist in the building of a marae specifically for Te Hāhi Ringatū in the Eastern Bay of Plenty.
The coalition government, headed by Prime Minister Chris Luxon and Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka, has made the annual pilgrimage to Rātana Pā to celebrate the birth of Tahupōtiki Wiremu Rātana.
Last year the government announced a funding grant of $10.1 million to Rātana Pā to make repairs and upgrades to Te Manuao and Ōrākeinui and is part of the $1.2 billion Regional Infrastructure Fund.
Jones says he is following up on the commitment made to Rātana 12 months ago.
“I tērā tau, i puta i a mātou te oati, ka whakawhiwhia he pūtea hei whakamāmā i ngā utu mō te whakahouhou haere ai i ngā whare ki konei.”
Jones says part of the infrastructure fund is aimed at cultural institutions of regional significance, including marae, museums, performing arts venues, and whare taonga.
It can also include heritage buildings that house significant arts, culture, and heritage collections.
Jones says there are many examples of sites of significance.
“Tētahi tauira pērā, i whakawhiwhia kia tika ai a Waitangi me Parihaka.”
“Nā, ko tētahi kāore anō kia oti, engari e tirohia tonutia ana, ko te wāhanga ki te whare matua o ngā Ringatū.”
Kotahi rau tau i te rēhitatanga o Te Hāhi Rātana
I whakanuia hoki e Jones tēnei tau whakahirahira, arā, te tau kotahi rau nō te whakamanatanga ake o Rātana hei hāhi.
Ko te 25 o Hanuere te rā i whānau mai ai a Tahu Pōtiki Wiremu Rātana, ā, i ia te tau, ka nui te tini o ngā tāngata ka whakaopeti mai ki runga o Rātana ki te whakanui i te whānautanga mai o te māngai.
“Āe, kua pau te kotahi rau tau, mai i te wā i rēhitangia ai Te Hāhi Rātana.”
“Hāunga anō te taunga mai o te māramatanga ki te māngai, engari ko te hāhi ake.”
